57 Niger security personnel reportedly dead in seperate attacks

At least 57 members of Niger’s defence and security forces were reportedly killed in two separate attacks on September 23, 2026.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the reported casualties were recorded in Dabagu, Konni Department of Tahoua Region, and around Abala-Filingué in Tillabéri Region.

In Dabagu, 38 soldiers of the Nigerien Armed Forces were reportedly killed after Islamic State militants attacked a military position.

Several soldiers were also reportedly missing after the attack, while the bodies of some of those killed were being transported to Tahoua.

Other remains were reportedly evacuated to Niamey by helicopter.

The second attack occurred around Abala-Filingué in Tillabéri, where 19 gendarmes were reportedly killed in an assault attributed to Islamic State militants.

“Several soldiers are also missing following the attack, while the bodies of some of those killed were being transported to Tahoua,” Makama reported.

The two incidents put the reported death toll among Nigerien defence and security personnel at 57 in a single day.